Today's letters: Healthy debate — just what the doctor ordered

Thursday, Dec. 8: Readers laud the views of Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth in defending civility. You can write to us too (civilly) at: letters@ottawacitizen.com

Doctor diagnoses our civil woes

Re: We can choose civility over insult and abuse, Dec. 6.

Bravo and thank you to Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth for this beautiful and thoughtfully expressed op-ed. Hopefully your thinking, values and respect for civility are upheld through democratic ways. Otherwise, as you so vehemently and emotionally expressed, democracy is eroded, increasing hate that targets its harassment not only at the medical community and media but at minorities — namely Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIOPC).

I hope Dr. Kaplan-Myrth’s pleas are heard by all of us and that she can express her views, in a democratic and constructive way, without fear of abusive behaviour.

Daljit Nagpal, Nepean.

Gratitude to Dr. Kaplan-Myrth

What has happened to civil society? I can’t say it any better than Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth.

As an accomplished woman, physician, researcher, and health and social justice advocate, she deserves our utmost respect — and gratitude.

Frances Legault, Ottawa

A courageous article, well put

Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth’s article is courageous and right on. She recognizes how incivility erodes and corrodes our democracy and our way of life. No one should step back from calling out those who, in the name of their own freedom, threaten everyone else’s and abuse their privilege of living in a civil society. I wish I had written her piece in defence of civility. 

Questions about overflowing hospitals

Re: CHEO has ‘all hands on deck,’ Dec. 5.

The children’s hospitals are overflowing. We are told that a combination of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 is the cause of this surge.  It would be interesting to know the answers to the three following questions.

How many of these children have a family doctor? Without a family doctor, where else would they go? How many of these children are vaccinated? Vaccines work; so why no vaccination?

Over the last few decades, governments of all political parties have asked hospitals to reduce the number of nurses and beds because of a fixation on obtaining 100 per cent efficiency of resources — commonly called “budget cuts.” A management concept that results in all beds being occupied in the best of times is bound to fail during a crisis. So, how many beds and staff have been removed at CHEO over the last 30 years on behalf of 100 per cent efficiency?

Our Public Health people should seek to find all the root causes of today’s problem. If done, the solution will be obvious and will be more than just a mask mandate.

André Corriveau, Stittsville

$20K meal leaves a sour taste

Re: Ottawa’s Atelier restaurant wants to ring out 2022 with a private, $20,000 dinner for four, Dec. 5.

Atelier’s chef, Marc Lepine, has succumbed to his “urge” to go all-out in preparing a $20,000 meal for four “celebrants for whom money is no object.” This, as Christmas is approaching, with food inflation raging and any number of families increasingly dependent on food banks and charity.

Yes, there are some for whom money is no object, who have worked hard and who no doubt love their food. Many of these folks, however, would also note the contradiction and tasteless  juxtaposition of Lepine’s idea.

“Tone-deaf” are the words that pop into my mind.

Gord Clifford, Ottawa

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